Solano Public Health

County seeks volunteers for emergency drill

March 13--SCHENECTADY COUNTY -- Schenectady County Public Health Services is seeking volunteers to assist with an emergency preparedness drill on April 3 at Schenectady High School.

Volunteers are needed to act as "patients" during a medication dispensing drill, and volunteers, preferably with a health-related background, are also sought to assist staff during the drill.

The goal is to help Public Health Services prepare to respond to a biological, chemical or radiological public health emergency, with this drill specifically testing the dispensing of medications in an emergency. During the drill, candy will be dispensed rather than actual medication.

Volunteers will be needed between roughly 1 and 3 p.m., and they will be needed for about 30 minutes each, though those who are available may be asked to go through the dispensing point multiple times using different patient scenarios. Volunteers interested in helping the staff will need to arrive by 11:30 a.m.

Participating agencies will include county Public Health, the county Office of Emergency Management, the Schenectady police and fire departments, the Schenectady City School District, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady ARC, Sunnyview Hospital, Capital Care Medical Group, Schenectady County Auxiliary Police, the Schenectady County Medical Reserve Corps, Schenectady City Fire Hazmat, and the Visting Nurse Service of Northeastern New York.